JAMA: Women May Have Higher Risk of Hip Implant Failure

A study published Online by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine publication suggests that women have a higher risk of failure than men following total hip replacement (THR). See press release.

The publication said that women were 29 percent more likely than men to require revision surgery within the first three years following (THR).

After that timeframe, 2.3 percent of the women and 1.9 percent of the men were forced to undergo surgery to correct the original surgery.

The failure of metal-on-metal hips was nearly double that of men, according to an Associated Press report.

In light of recent studies that metal-on-metal artificial hips are failing at an unreasonably high rate — which has resulted in significant litigation on a national scale — women may be particularly vulnerable to injury by these failures.

According to recent report, the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") received more complaints related to failure of metal-on-metal hips in the first six months of 2011 than the prior four years combined. And the National Joint Registry for England and Wales is reporting that nearly one out of three ASR hip systems implanted in patients six years ago have failed.

The reports follow a spate of lawsuits challenging metal-on-metal devices manufactured and marketed by DePuy Orthopedics. The lawsuits allege that the metal-on-metal devices can shed tiny particles damaging to bone, muscle, and nerve, complicating revision surgeries.

Any patient with a hip replacement should contact their orthopedic surgeon to determine whether they received a DePuy device.

Sheller, P.C. represents clients nationwide with the recalled hip implant. If you or someone you know has been injured by one of these products, see www.hiprecallhelp.com, or call 1(800)883-2299.